Airfield Rubber and Paint Removal

Airfield Rubber and Paint Removal

Airfield Rubber and Paint Removal

Rampart’s BlasterVac trucks can quickly and cost effectively, clean your runways and remove old and tired markings. With over twenty-five (25) years of experience in performing airfield rubber and paint removal, we have the capacity and the know-how do the job correctly, the first time.

The use of ultra-high pressure (UHP) waterjets is the preferred method of removing rubber build up and paint markings from airfield runways. UHP water jets operating at 35,000 psi have the ability to not only remove rubber and paint from the surface, but the waterjet will also reach down into the texture of the surface to remove any visible trace of the rubber or paint. When water is pressurized to 35,000 psi and forced through and very small nozzle, the water is traveling at an extremely high velocity. In addition, the friction caused by the water passing through the small nozzle heats the water to approximately 140 degrees F. Very few materials can withstand this double combination of heat and pressure.

Rampart’s BlasterVac trucks are self-contained units that blast the surface while continuously collecting the debris and wastewater as the work progresses. No longer does the wastewater runway away from the equipment. Continuous vacuuming ensures an environmentally friendly process. By controlling the angle of the high-velocity nozzle in a consistent manner, we are able to thoroughly clean the surface in a harmless and nondestructive manner.

Our BlasterVac has cleaned around gate areas to remove fuel and other stains. The 140 degree water along with the pressure is very effective in cleaning these areas restoring the concrete to a like new appearance.

Other mechanical methods of removing the rubber and paint such as grinding and shot blasting permanently damage the surface. Neither of these methods are capable of removing rubber and paint from within the texture of the surface without damaging the surface.

Chemicals have also been used to assist in rubber removal. While advertised as environmentally safe, it is inconceivable that a chemical material that can dissolve rubber (a very stable material) will not damage the environment. But why take the chance when potable water alone can do the job.

Airfield Rubber Removal

Rampart cleans runways for commercial and private airports, as well as military air bases. We have performed runway rubber removal at over seventy (70) airfields, including many of the nation’s largest and busiest. With over twenty-five (25) years of experience cleaning runway rubber, Rampart has the capacity and the know-how do the job correctly, the first time.

Airfield runways are a very active area. At major airports, planes land and take off continuously. When planes land, they leave a long streak of rubber as each wheel touches down. Runway rubber removal is critical because from repeated landings, airplane tire rubber accumulates on both concrete and asphalt runways, and accumulated rubber can be dangerous. Accumulation of rubber on runways reduces the surface friction needed to stop and can lead to dangerous landing conditions. Continuous landings will deposit rubber (skid marks) on the runways surface. Runways are grooved perpendicular to the runway. These groves are designed to allow water to quickly flow away and off the runway surface. When these groves become filled with rubber due to multiple landings, the water can no longer flow off the runway resulting in a potential for dangerous hydroplaning conditions. Heavily contaminated runways may become unsafe during wet conditions.

With our ultra-high pressure water, Rampart efficiently and safely removes and vacuums away the rubber deposits (and wastewater). We do it without damaging the existing markings, lights, and most important the existing surface. Our ultra-high pressure water jets have the ability to reach down into the groves to remove all the rubber restoring the runways ability to quickly shed water during rain storms. Safety is the airport operations personnel’s number one priority and clean runways improves the safety of the airfield.

Using our BlasterVac trucks, we remove the rubber deposits while continuously vacuuming the rubber debris and wastewater from the runway surface. Chemicals, which may damage the environment, are not needed or used. Only clean, potable water is required to safely remove the rubber. During the removal process the existing runway surface is unharmed by the water jets. In case of an emergency, our trucks can stop cleaning and quickly exit the runway allowing for an emergency landing.

Airfield and roadway paint removal

Paint and pavement markings (such as roadway and runway stripping) are no match for Rampart’s ultra-high pressure surface-cleaning equipment. Ultra-high pressure forces water through tiny waterjet nozzles at very high velocity. Friction warms the water to 140°. The combination of pressure and heat is sufficient to easily remove paint from concrete and asphalt surfaces. Even better however, is the ability of the waterjet to remove paint and other materials from the micro-texture of concrete and asphalt surface as well as the grooves and rumble strips. The waterjet reaches down into the surface to remove paint from below the surface. Grinding and shot blasting equipment must cut down into the surface to remove all traces of the paint leaving an unsightly and potentially dangerous deep grove or ditch in the surface. No chemicals or detergents are added, or needed, for paint removal.

When the BlasterVac attacks paint, it doesn’t matter what it’s made of. All types of line stripping including latex, thermoplastic, epoxy and tape are quickly obliterated. Our ultra-high pressure water efficiently and safely removes and vacuums away the paint and other marking material and the wastewater. We do it without damaging the existing surface. Our ultra-high pressure water jets have the ability to reach down into the groves to remove all the marking material.

Using our BlasterVac trucks, we remove the paint and marking materials while continuously vacuuming the debris and wastewater from the runway and roadway surface. Chemicals, which may damage the environment are not needed or used. Only clean, potable water is required to safely perform paint removal. During the removal process the existing road and runway surfaces are unharmed by the water jets. In case of an emergency such as at an airfield, our trucks can stop cleaning and quickly exit the runway allowing for an emergency landing.

With over twenty-five (25) years of experience cleaning runway paint, Rampart has the capacity and the know-how do the job correctly, the first time.

Our process is environmentally-friendly, too. Immediately after the paint is removed, the chips are vacuumed from the roadway surface and disposed of according to federal, state, and local environmental regulations. The water can be safely discharged or treated. The ultra-high pressure water jetting pump and vacuuming equipment is all contained wit